The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, has said that the management of the University is set to put the University on the world map, as it gears up to break new grounds in the area of technological development.

Prof. Olatunji disclosed this last Tuesday (December 1, 2015) while featuring on 'Oro to n lo', a Yoruba current affairs programme on Unilorin 89.3 FM. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor said that a pointer to the University's seriousness in realising this lofty goal was the successful manufacture of drone by a team of the University scientists led by Prof. S. A. Abdulkareem of the Department of Chemistry.

According to Prof. Olatunji, the drone will be deployed for such functions as disaster management; security measure; weather monitoring; aerial imaging, and public safety. It will also take the pictures of crowd and towns, record events, dispatch letters, and give security reports of potential dangers on the campus. Prof. Olatunji disclosed that efforts are being made by the University management to ensure that in the next 10 years, products like Unilorin motor cars, Unilorin motorcycles, etc. will be in the Nigerian and African markets.

It will be recalled that two sets of drones were displayed during the just concluded 31st Convocation/ 40 thAnniversary of the University to the admiration of the guests and members of the University community.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor pointed out that the drones were manufactured at the University of Ilorin with imported parts from abroad. The German-trained scientist disclosed that the management is doing everything possible to make sure that the University of Ilorin remains better by far not only in terms of academic excellence but also in research findings and discoveries.

Prof. Olatunji also disclosed that the Unilorin Virology Centre is underway, pointing out that when completed, it will be saddled with the responsibility of conducting research into, identifying and combating new and existing diseases in the society.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor stressed further that on completion, the Virology Centre would drastically reduce foreign medical tourism by many Nigerian politicians and money bags. "It will help the institution in achieving its mandate of providing community service through prevention and treatment of viral diseases", he said.

Prof. Olatunji also described the Central Research Laboratory (CRL) of the University as a world class resource with first class equipment courtesy of the commitment of the Vice-Chancellor of the nation's most patronised University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who commended the management of the University for making funds available for research, appealed to the Federal Government to make more funds available to tertiary institutions in the country to meet their needs. Prof. Olatunji described the choice of Prof. Isaac Adewole as the new Minister of Health as a wise decision, saying that the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan is the right man for the job.

The Professor of Chemistry also urged academics never to shy away from politics, saying that the country will remain in the cesspool of poverty and underdevelopment if technocrats from the education sector prefer to be cowards. While commenting on the current fuel scarcity in the country, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor observed that until the government as well as other well-meaning Nigerians divert their attentions from crude oil to agriculture, the problem will continue to persist.

He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make agriculture his priority and to encourage local farmers through soft loans.

Prof. Olatunji however disclosed that the University administration has invested heavily on date palm plantation, oil palm plantation, Teak plantation, and Jatropha plantation, all of which will eventually boost the institution's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) on maturation.

The Iree, Osun State born Prince said that the nation's diverse cultures, languages and values must be protected to prevent them from going extinct. He described culture as what everyone in the country must cherish and promote regardless of educational background.